The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Chief Turret Captain Harold Reio Arild Oleson (NSN: 3418393), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Mount Captain on board the Light Cruiser U.S.S. BIRMINGHAM (CL-62), while participating in the salvage and rescue operations of the U.S.S. PRINCETON in the face of enemy attack during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944. When his mount was blasted by the explosion of magazines on the PRINCETON, while his ship was going alongside to fight fires caused by an enemy bomb, Chief Turret Captain Oleson’s first thoughts were for the condition of his guns and the safety of his crew. Although mortally wounded and unable to move, he refused medical attention and directed the removal of other wounded men and inspection of the mount and handling room. Only when he was assured that his men were taken care of and that his guns could no longer operate, did he consent to being removed from his battle station. His courage and devotion to his ship and shipmates were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.